Events

Did you know there is a nesting pair of Bald Eagles at Lake Natoma? Meet Kathy Kayner, a wildlife photographer and an amazing storyteller, to learn about a pair of Bald Eagles that have been nesting on the American River Parkway within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The Bald Eagle family consists of an adult pair, “Mama and Papa”, who have, since 2017, successfully hatched 21 eaglets from a nest in a gray pine tree that overlooks Lake Natoma.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEE COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. Since this is a small group tour, you will have open conversations with the Preserve's biologists and get all your questions answered. The Cosumnes River Preserve is the finest Valley Oak riparian forest and wetland in California.

Join this year’s Featured Artist, Jennifer Anderson, for a lively demonstration of two timeless printmaking techniques: drypoint relief printing and drypoint intaglio. Using her portable tabletop etching press, she’ll walk you through the steps of each process – from carving and inking a woodcut to pulling a print from a hand-drawn drypoint plate.

If you are wanting to explore the Delta by boat, this is the tour for you. Cruise leisurely along the waterways of the California Delta through prime waterfowl habitat with a local licensed boat operator and a birder/naturalist.

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200 species of birds and is a roosting area for Sandhill Cranes. Join a local guide who will lead you along the Blue Heron Trail as you explore this magnificent wildlife sanctuary. The tour is tailored to nature lovers, beginning and intermediate birders, photographers, and children.

Join Chris Llewellyn and Jessica Furtado, Education Specialists from the Sacramento Zoo, to learn about Western Pond Turtle conservation currently work being done locally. Threatened by habitat loss, pollution, invasive species and urbanization, the Western Pond Turtle is currently being considered for listing as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.  With declining numbers - up to 99% in some areas - recovery efforts are urgent. Learn how everyone can help to prevent this species’ population decline and ensure their survival.

Anyone who is interested in knowing more about how modern zoos contribute to conservation of endangered species and rehabilitation of injured wildlife will find this tour fascinating. Children of all ages will enjoy a leisurely stroll around Micke Grove Zoo, which is part of a large regional park.

Leave the driving to us. This tour combines a crane fly-in with birding on Staten Island, a premier Nature Conservancy/Conservation Farms and Ranches location, to learn what the birds already know - this is one of the best places in the Delta to spend the winter. Experienced docents will highlight the history of Staten Island and its partnership with the Cosumnes River Preserve.

If you have never had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gary Ivey about Sandhill Cranes, you won’t want to miss this tour. Join Gary on a bus ride around the delta to see cranes feeding in the fields.and watch them during the evening fly-in.

This tour has all the excitement of the other fly-in tours in the area, but visitors will be able to view the Sandhill Cranes (and other birds) from the comfort of a viewing shelter. Seating is provided and maps, charts, and pictorials are on display. Also, visitors will be treated to a presentation by Department of Fish and Wildlife docents.

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is one of the few locations where Sandhill Cranes consistently roost in the Delta. At dusk, in large groups that can number from several hundred to several thousand, the cranes converge on the South Unit’s flooded fields for the night. CDFW Docents will give a presentation on the cranes in a private viewing area. The cranes determine end times for evening tours.

If you have never experienced an early morning fly-out, you won’t want to miss this. Sandhill Cranes begin their day as the sun starts to rise and you’ll want to be there to see it. Best of all, Dr. Gary Ivey will be there to share his knowledge and answer your questions.

This tour is designed for experienced photographers with a basic knowledge of their camera (aperture, shutter speed and ISO). If you are interested in learning more about how to capture high quality images in low light and fog, with the challenges of early morning set ups, this is the tour for you. You will meet at Staten Island.

Serious birders won’t want to miss this walk through the Tall Forest at the Cosumnes River Preserve. A well-known field ornithologist, will lead you deep into one of the finest riparian habitats left in California. There you will see a rich variety of up to 90 resident and seasonal bird species.

Bring your binoculars and enjoy a leisurely walk on flat ground through the old growth riparian habitat at Lodi Lake Nature Trail with a local birding expert.

If you are wanting to explore the Delta by boat, this is the tour for you. Cruise leisurely along the waterways of the California Delta through prime waterfowl habitat with a local licensed boat operator and a birder/naturalist.

If you have never had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gary Ivey about Sandhill Cranes, you won’t want to miss this tour. Join Gary on a bus ride around the delta to see cranes feeding in the fields.and watch them during the evening fly-in.

Enjoy your drive through the Sierra foothills to Pardee Reservoir, where you will board a boat with East Bay Municipal Utility District naturalists and biologists. You will have a chance to see early season Golden and Bald Eagles, hawks and many local species.

Join your guides on a rare walking tour of model wildlife habitat areas and adjoining vineyards, where you will see a variety of bird species and possibly even local mammals. The tour will culminate in a visit to the family winery where adults can peruse the many fine vintages that have been personally nurtured by the family from the soil to the bottle. Wine tasting on your own.

If you are wanting to explore the Delta by boat, this is the tour for you. Cruise leisurely along the waterways of the California Delta through prime waterfowl habitat with a local licensed boat operator and a birder/naturalist.

This introduction to photographing wild birds will focus on Sandhill Cranes.  Topics include basics of birding, ethical considerations, predicting bird behavior, and locations for observing and photographing.  Jennifer and Walt will cover basic cameras, lenses, and other accessories.  Basic camera settings, best times of day, dealing with wind and weather conditions will be discussed.  Photographing birds in flight and birds that are stationary, as well as photographing birds in your backyard. 

If you have never had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gary Ivey about Sandhill Cranes, you won’t want to miss this tour. Join Gary on a bus ride around the delta to see cranes feeding in the fields.and watch them during the evening fly-in.

A volunteer naturalist will guide you to areas that are best for viewing. The species you might see include Swainson’s Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Red-Shouldered Hawks, and many others. Be sure to bring your binoculars and scopes. Over 250 species of birds frequent the Cosumnes River Preserve during the year, so no mater what, you will have a day to remember.

Learn origami crane folding from our volunteer “experts”.  This activity is FREE … and everyone is welcomed to give it a try.  Stop by to learn more about the cultural significance of origami cranes and the history of this unique Japanese art form. 

Stop by for hands on exploration that gives people of all ages the opportunity to expand their knowledge … and have fun doing it. San Joaquin Audubon Society shares a collection of artifacts and equipment to offer a closer look, and a better understanding, of cranes and their adaptations.

Join Native Bird Connections for an intimate look at the behaviors, life experiences, and personal stories of several birds of prey. See hawks and owls up close and learn their unique stories. This presentation repeats on Saturday at 1:40 PM.

Learn more about the California version of a great migration and the habitats that support this awesome, and very reliable, natural phenomenon.

In the Delta, water interacts with land and forms soil in a complex process. Human use of water and land contains a nest of complex pressures. These connections and complexities play out daily.  This talk will explore many of these connections and complexities with a focus on how they relate to the birds that make the Delta their home.

Get inspired and join artists from the Lodi Community Art Center to create your own mini painting on paper or canvas to take home.  Supplies and encouragement provided, open to all ages. Also on Saturday from noon to 3 PM.

Bring your questions for Dr. Jay Lund and Dr. Greg Golet who will present a broad look at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - winter home for thousands of Pacific Flyway Sandhill Cranes.  They will discuss the impact of a changing climate on this remarkable region, followed by audience questions.